Local News Sometimes Irresponsible

Recently, I watched the evening news and caught a glimpse of a story about a young man who had attempted to rob a gas station. There was a short blurb about the crime and then the newscaster moved on to the next piece of local gossip. I thought about the family of that young man as I let the story sink in. What if his family was watching this? Is it fair that the media should provide names and photographs of criminals when the family is local and probably known by others in the community? Is it fair that the family should suffer embarrassment and shame over the actions of a wayward relative? I don't think so.

The problem is not so much the disclosure, but the intent. It is as though they are merely filling their time up with as much "dirt" as they can possibly gather and they are not always being responsible about the presentation. Instead of exposing every cut-rate criminal in the area and putting them up on display, why not do a feature on crime that includes facts and figures. Any moron can report the day's list of offenses. How about some substance? For instance, if there is a drunk driver who has been captured, why not pursue a feature story with a local treatment center and explore the reasons behind and statistics about alcoholism. Maybe put up a bulleted list of ways to identify alcoholism and drug abuse and tips on how to do an intervention with a loved one.

I would love to turn on the news and hear things that I can actually use in my daily life...other than the weather report. I understand that there are some instances where it is useful to air a picture or provide a name and description, but I wonder if other venues aren't more appropriate. Sex offenders, criminals who haven't been caught and escaped convicts are definitely things the public should be aware of, but can it be done in a more discrete manner? I used to think I wanted to be a journalist, but after years of exposure to inane garbage on the various local news programs, I opted to write fiction. Although there are a few talented journalists around, they don't seem to be pulling the strings when it comes to the content of their broadcasts. If they were, I don't see how they would let the news set such a negative and potentially hurtful tone morning, noon, and night. Perhaps if they change the tone of the news, there might not be so many negatives to report. We can't have that, now can we? If all we hear is how corrupt and violent we are as a society, we are bound to fulfill that prophecy. Doesn't anybody have good news anymore?

Getting back to the story about the young man, it wasn't enough that they had already aired his name and mug shot. A couple of days later, some industrious soul had acquired the surveillance video from the gas station and decided that it might fit well with the rest of the stories being aired. Exclusive video of attempted robbery! Wow. The story had no purpose as the criminal was already captured and indicted. The only purpose it served was to remind the family, whom I know, that their loved one had done a terrible thing immediately following the death of his mother and was in jail while she was being buried. Unfortunately, the community didn't have this context to consider. What a nice way to end your day.